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Abstract:

The invention is directed to a reduction in the influence on a
pathological diagnosis when an image reading apparatus is exchanged. In
order to solve the above-mentioned problem, there is provided an image
processing apparatus that processes a biological image generated by
capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image reading
apparatus, including: an acquisition unit that acquires identification
information of the image reading apparatus; a determination unit that
determines a type of biological tissue included in the biological image;
and a correction unit that adds a correction process to the biological
image in correspondence with the identification information of the image
reading apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

Claims:

1. An image processing apparatus that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires
identification information of the image reading apparatus; a
determination unit that determines a type of biological tissue included
in the biological image; and a correction unit that adds a correction
process to the biological image in correspondence with the identification
information of the image reading apparatus and the type of biological
tissue.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a storage unit that stores correction information indicating
the correction process for each pair of the identification information of
the image reading apparatus and the type of biological tissue capable of
being included in the biological image, wherein the correction unit adds
the correction process to the biological image on the basis of correction
information read out from the storage unit, using the identification
information of the image reading apparatus and the type of biological
tissue.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
correction unit adds the correction process to the entirety of the
biological image.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
correction unit adds the correction process to an image region of the
biological tissue included in the biological image.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when two
or more biological tissues are included in the biological image, the
correction unit adds a different correction process to the image region
of each biological tissue.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the
identification information of the image reading apparatus and correction
information corresponding thereto are stored in the storage unit; and a
notice unit that gives notice of an error message, when the determination
unit determines that the identification information of the image reading
apparatus and the correction information corresponding thereto are not
stored.

7. An image processing apparatus that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires
identification information of the image reading apparatus; a generation
unit that compares a standard image previously stored in a database with
the biological image, derives a correction process to be added to the
biological image in order to cause approximation to the standard image,
and generates correction information indicating the correction process;
and a registration unit that registers the identification information of
the image reading apparatus and the correction information in the
database, in association with a type of biological tissue included in the
biological image.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the
image reading apparatus is not a standard image reading apparatus, the
generation unit generates correction information by comparing the
standard image acquired by capturing an image of a sampling biological
specimen in the standard image reading apparatus with a biological image
acquired by capturing an image of the sampling biological specimen in the
image reading apparatus.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
generation unit generates the correction information by comparing a
histogram in which the standard image is represented in a predetermined
color space with a histogram in which the biological image is represented
in a predetermined color space.

10. An image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to the
image processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a
transmission unit that transmits the biological image generated by
capturing an image of the biological specimen and the identification
information to the image processing apparatus.

11. An image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to the
image processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a storage
unit that stores correction information indicating the correction process
for each type of biological tissue capable of being included in the
biological image; and a transmission unit that transmits the biological
image generated by capturing an image of the biological specimen and the
correction information to the image processing apparatus.

12. An image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to the
image processing apparatus according to claim 8, comprising: a storage
unit that stores the biological image generated by capturing an image of
the sampling biological specimen; and a transmission unit that transmits
the biological image to the image processing apparatus.

13. An image processing method that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, comprising: acquiring identification information of
the image reading apparatus; determining a type of biological tissue
included in the biological image; and adding a correction process to the
biological image in correspondence with the identification information of
the image reading apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

14. An image processing method that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, comprising: acquiring identification information of
the image reading apparatus; comparing a standard image previously stored
in a database with the biological image, deriving a correction process to
be added to the biological image in order to cause approximation to the
standard image, and generating correction information indicating the
correction process; and registering the identification information of the
image reading apparatus and the correction information, in association
with a type of biological tissue included in the biological image.

15. An information storage medium storing an image processing program
that processes a biological image generating by capturing an image of a
biological specimen in an image reading apparatus, the program causing a
computer to execute: a step of acquiring identification information of
the image reading apparatus; a step of determining a type of biological
tissue included in the biological image; and a step of adding a
correction process to the biological image in correspondence with the
identification information of the image reading apparatus and the type of
biological tissue.

16. An information storage medium storing an image processing program
that processes a biological image generated by capturing an image of a
biological specimen in an image reading apparatus, the program causing a
computer to execute: a step of acquiring identification information of
the image reading apparatus; a step of comparing a standard image
previously stored in a database with the biological image, deriving a
correction process to be added to the biological image in order to cause
approximation to the standard image, and generating correction
information indicating the correction process; and a step of registering
the identification information of the image reading apparatus and the
correction information, in association with a type of biological tissue
included in the biological image.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for processing a
biological image.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As a type of technique for reading an image of a biological
specimen and adding an image process, Patent Document 1 discloses an
apparatus that automatically analyzes a biological specimen image. The
apparatus has a microscope including a CCD camera, and adds a process to
a biological specimen image magnified using a microscope to display the
image on a monitor. In addition, the apparatus is configured such that
the positional coordinates of a specimen and a captured image are stored
in association with an identifier (bar code) of the specimen, an image of
the specimen is captured while feeding a slide automatically to arrange
the specimen at proper positions, and a pathological diagnosis by a
pathologist is supported.

RELATED DOCUMENT

Patent Document

[0003][Patent Document 1] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/495,461

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned system of the related art, there is
no mention of the case where an image reading apparatus such as a
microscope is replaced. The system is not preferred because, for example,
when a microscope or a CCD is replaced with others, read image data, the
hue of an image displayed on a monitor, or the like is changed, the
pathological diagnosis itself is possibly influenced.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a technique for solving
the above-mentioned problem.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image processing apparatus that processes a biological image generated
by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image reading
apparatus, including: an acquisition unit that acquires identification
information of the image reading apparatus; a determination unit that
determines a type of biological tissue included in the biological image;
and a correction unit that adds a correction process to the biological
image in correspondence with the identification information of the image
reading apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image processing apparatus that processes a biological image generated
by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image reading
apparatus, including: an acquisition unit that acquires identification
information of the image reading apparatus; a generation unit that
compares a standard image previously stored in a database with the
biological image, derives a correction process to be added to the
biological image in order to cause approximation to the standard image,
and generates correction information indicating the correction process;
and a registration unit that registers the identification information of
the image reading apparatus and the correction information in the
database, in association with a type of biological tissue included in the
biological image.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to the
above-mentioned image processing apparatus, including: a transmission
unit that transmits the biological image generated by capturing an image
of the biological specimen and the identification information to the
image processing apparatus.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to the
above-mentioned image processing apparatus, including: a storage unit
that stores correction information indicating the correction process for
each type of biological tissue capable of being included in the
biological image; and a transmission unit that transmits the biological
image generated by capturing an image of the biological specimen and the
correction information to the image processing apparatus.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to the
above-mentioned image processing apparatus, including: a storage unit
that stores the biological image generated by capturing an image of the
sampling biological specimen; and a transmission unit that transmits the
biological image to the image processing apparatus.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image processing method that processes a biological image generated by
capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image reading
apparatus, including: acquiring identification information of the image
reading apparatus; determining a type of biological tissue included in
the biological image; and adding a correction process to the biological
image in correspondence with the identification information of the image
reading apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image processing method that processes a biological image generated by
capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image reading
apparatus, including: acquiring identification information of the image
reading apparatus; comparing a standard image previously stored in a
database with the biological image, deriving a correction process to be
added to the biological image in order to cause approximation to the
standard image, and generating correction information indicating the
correction process; and registering the identification information of the
image reading apparatus and the correction information, in association
with a type of biological tissue included in the biological image.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image processing program that processes a biological image generating
by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image reading
apparatus, the program causing a computer to execute: a step of acquiring
identification information of the image reading apparatus; a step of
determining a type of biological tissue included in the biological image;
and a step of adding a correction process to the biological image in
correspondence with the identification information of the image reading
apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided
an image processing program that processes a biological image generated
by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image reading
apparatus, the program causing a computer to execute: a step of acquiring
identification information of the image reading apparatus; a step of
comparing a standard image previously stored in a database with the
biological image, deriving a correction process to be added to the
biological image in order to cause approximation to the standard image,
and generating correction information indicating the correction process;
and a step of registering the identification information of the image
reading apparatus and the correction information, in association with a
type of biological tissue included in the biological image.

[0015] According to the invention, it is possible to reduce the influence
on a pathological diagnosis when an image reading apparatus is exchanged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
processing apparatus as a first embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
processing apparatus as a second embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
reading system as a third embodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a module and data which are stored
in a RAM, in the image reading system as the third embodiment of the
invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating generated correction information
in the image reading system as the third embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating reference information for
generating correction information in the image reading system as the
third embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a flow of processes in the
image reading system as the third embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a flow of processes in the
image reading system as the third embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a correction
process in the image reading system as the third embodiment of the
invention.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a
correction process in the image reading system as the third embodiment of
the invention.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a
correction process in the image reading system as the third embodiment of
the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be exemplarily
described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, components
mentioned in the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the
invention, and the technical scope of the invention is not limited
thereto.

First Embodiment

[0028]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
processing apparatus 100 as a first embodiment of the invention. In FIG.
1, the image processing apparatus 100 is connected to an image reading
apparatus 150, and processes a biological image generated by capturing an
image of a biological specimen in the image reading apparatus 150. The
image processing apparatus 100 includes an acquirement unit 101, a
determination unit 102, and a correction unit 103. Among them, the
acquirement unit 101 acquires identification information of the image
reading apparatus 150. The determination unit 102 determines the type of
biological tissue included in the biological image sent from the image
reading apparatus 150. In addition, the correction unit 103 corrects the
biological image in correspondence with identification information of the
image reading apparatus 150 and the type of determined biological tissue.

[0029] According to such an image processing apparatus 100, it is possible
to add a correction depending on the type of biological tissue included
in the biological image which is read by the image reading apparatus 150,
and to obtain a corrected image by which an image diagnosis is more
easily performed.

Second Embodiment

[0030]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
processing apparatus 200 as a second embodiment of the invention. In FIG.
2, the image processing apparatus 200 is connected to the image reading
apparatus 150, and includes a generation unit 201, an acquirement unit
202 and a registration unit 203. Among them, the generation unit 201
compares a biological image acquired from the image reading apparatus 150
with a standard image which is read out from a database 250, determines
what type of correction process may be added in order to cause the
acquired biological image to approximate to the standard image, and
derives an effective correction process. Correction information
indicating the correction process is generated. On the other hand, the
acquirement unit 202 acquires identification information of the image
reading apparatus 150. The registration unit 203 registers the
identification information of the image reading apparatus 150 and the
generated correction information in the database 250, in association with
the type of biological tissue included in the biological image.

[0031] Meanwhile, the term "standard image" herein is, for example, an
image acquired by capturing an image of a sampling biological specimen in
a standard image reading apparatus. When a biological image acquired by
capturing an image of the same sampling biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus different from the standard image reading apparatus in
type and such a standard image are compared with each other, it is
possible to derive a correction process to be added in order to obtain
the biological image close to the standard image.

[0032] In this manner, the image processing apparatus 200 derives the
correction process to be added in order to obtain an image close to the
standard image, thereby allowing the correction information to be
registered in the database. For this reason, even when the image reading
apparatus 150 of which the image reading characteristics (brightness,
hue, blurring or the like) are unclear is connected, a proper correction
process is added, thereby allowing an image close to the standard image
to be acquired. That is, it is possible to provide an image processing
apparatus excellent in versatility which can cope with various image
reading apparatuses.

Third Embodiment

[0033]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
processing apparatus 300 as a third embodiment of the invention. In FIG.
3, the image processing apparatus 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a
communication control unit 303, a RAM 304, a mass-memory unit 305, an
input interface 306, and an output interface 309. The image processing
apparatus 300 is connected to a scanner 307 used as an image reading
apparatus and an operating unit 308 through the input interface 306, and
acquires image information from the scanner 307 in accordance with an
operation added to the operating unit 308. In addition, the image
processing apparatus 300 is connected to a display device 310 through the
output interface 309, and can display an image which is read by the
scanner 307 or an image processed in the image processing apparatus 300,
on the display device 310. In addition, the display device 310 also
functions as a notice unit that gives notice of an error message and the
like.

[0034] On the other hand, in the inside of the image processing apparatus
300, the CPU 301 is a central processing unit that controls the entirety
of the device. In addition, the ROM 302 is a read-only memory, and stores
a boot program executed by the CPU 301 or various types of parameters. In
addition, the communication control unit 303 is connected to an external
network, and controls, for example, communication with a database
provided to the outside or a computer.

[0035] The RAM 304 includes a program storage area 314 that temporarily
stores a plurality of programs executed by the CPU 301 and a data storage
area 324 that temporarily stores data used for these programs.

[0036] Further, the mass-memory unit 305 includes a standard image
database 315 that stores information on a standard image which is read by
a standard scanner used as a standard image reading apparatus and a
correction information database 325 used as a storage unit that stores
information on the scanner 307 connected to the image processing
apparatus 300 and correction information. Further, the mass-memory unit
305 includes a biological tissue identifying database 335 that stores
information for identifying biological tissue from a biological image
which is read by a scanner.

[0037]FIG. 5 shows a portion of contents of the standard image database.
A table 500 shown in FIG. 5 stores a RGB histogram 503 and an HSV
histogram 504 for each type 502 of captured biological tissue, in
association with identification information 501 of the standard scanner.
The types of biological tissue herein include a "glandular duct", a
"stroma", a "lymphocyte", and a "hemocyte", and each histogram is also
stored in a "blank" region in which biological tissue is not present. The
RGB histogram is expressed by, for example, 256 gray scales from 0 to
255, and the number of pixels having pixel values from 0 to 255 is set to
a vertical axis.

[0038] For example, the "blank" region takes a high numerical value
together with R, G, and B because it is close to white. In addition,
since staining is performed using hematoxylin and eosin in the standard
image, the "glandular duct" is stained in pink as a whole, and the
surroundings of the glandular duct are stained in blue. In other words,
the pixel of R tends to have a relatively large value, and the pixel of B
and the pixel of G have increasingly smaller values in this order. On the
other hand, in the image region obtained by capturing an image of the
lymphocyte, blueness is slightly strong, and thus the pixel of B takes a
large value. On the contrary, in the image region obtained by capturing
an image of the hemocyte, redness is considerably strong, and thus both
the pixel of B and the pixel of G take a small value.

[0039] Similarly, the number of pixels as a standard value is also stored
in the HSV histogram 504 in each region, with respect to luminosity V
indicating the brightness of an image, chroma S indicating the vividness
of a color, and hue H of a chromatic color. Basically, peaks of these
histograms are important, and a conversion process of the tint or the
brightness is also added to an image captured by another scanner so that
the peaks of the histograms are present in the same positions as those
stored in the table 500.

[0040] Meanwhile, standard image data shown in FIG. 5 is just
illustrative, and it is necessary to store information depending on a
correction method added to a biological image captured by a new scanner
(scanner other than the standard scanner). For example, when the
biological image and the standard image are compared to each other, it is
possible to use an average value of the pixel values of each color
element instead of the histograms, or to use an intermediate value. In
such a case, it is necessary to previously register the average value or
the intermediate value in the table 500.

[0041] [Configuration of Various Types of Modules]

[0042] The details of the module and the data stored inside the RAM 304
will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The RAM 304 includes a
scanner information and image acquisition module 401 for acquiring
information on the scanner 307 and a biological image which is read by
the scanner 307. The scanner information acquired by the scanner
information and image acquisition module 401 is temporarily stored in a
scanner information storage area 409. In addition, the biological image
data acquired by the scanner information and image acquisition module 401
is temporarily stored in a biological image data storage area 410.

[0043] In addition, the RAM 304 includes a biological tissue determination
module 402 that determines the type of biological tissue present in the
biological image which is read by the scanner 307 and the image region
thereof. The type of biological tissue present in the biological image
includes, for example, a glandular duct (cell nucleus group), a stroma
(cytoplasm), a lymphocyte, a hemocyte, other goblet cells (heterocyst)
and the like. It is determined where the biological tissue in the
acquired biological image in what type of form and size, using an image
processing technique such as pattern matching. A tissue determination
technique or a region extraction technique used herein is disclosed in
documents of a glandular duct (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No.
2009-229203), a lymphocyte (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No.
2009-168725, Japanese Patent No. 3649328, and Japanese Patent No.
3534009) and the like, and thus detailed descriptions herein will not be
repeated.

[0044] On the other hand, the RAM 304 also includes a biological image
correction module 403 for adding correction to a biological image. The
biological image correction module adds a correction process to the
biological image on the basis of correction information which is
previously prepared, for each piece of scanner information that
identifies a scanner and for each biological tissue. Corrected image data
generated by a correction process is stored in a corrected image data
storage area 411.

[0045] Further, the RAM 304 includes an image diagnosis module 405, and
analyzes the corrected image data stored in the corrected image data
storage area 411 to perform a pathological diagnosis. Specifically, for
example, it is determined what kind of lesion is included using processes
such as a hematoxylin signal analysis, image normalization, nuclear
detection, a texture analysis, a color analysis, lesion candidate
extraction, and identification of a lesion, and the resultant is
presented to a pathologist.

[0046] The RAM 304 further includes an alarm module 406. The alarm module
406 displays that the image correction is performed by the biological
image correction module 403. In addition, when scanner information
acquired from the connected scanner 307 is not registered in the
correction information database 325, the alarm module 406 displays an
alarm that calibration is required. At the time of calibration, an image
comparison module 407 compares the biological image acquired by capturing
an image of the sampling biological specimen using the scanner 307 with
the standard image (corresponding to the sampling biological specimen)
which is previously prepared in the standard image database 315. A
correction information generation module 408 stored in the RAM 304
generates correction information in accordance with the comparison result
in the image comparison module 407. That is, in order to cause the
acquired biological image to approximate to the standard image, it is
determined whether the difference derived in the comparison process
decreases when what types of correction process are added, and an
effective correction process is derived.

[0047] As mentioned above, the image comparison module 407 can obtain the
difference by comparing the histograms, the intermediate values, the
average values or the like of HSV color elements, RGB color elements, or
CMYK color elements of the images. In that case, the correction
information generation module 408 performs correction for removing the
difference.

[0048] The image comparison module 407 may normalize an image through a
gamma correction separate a white region and a colored region from each
other through a discriminant analysis of the chrome and the luminosity,
separate a colored region into a red region and a blue region through a
discriminant analysis of the hue, and compare averages of RGB with
respect to each of the white, red, and blue regions. In other words, the
average of the R pixel value in the biological image and the average of
the R pixel value in the standard image may be compared to each other,
and the G pixel value and the B pixel value may be further compared to
each other similarly, to take the differences, respectively. In this
case, the correction information generation module 408 also performs
corrections for removing the differences.

[0049] In addition, the image comparison module 407 may compare, for
example, blurring of the biological image and blurring of the standard
image to each other, and the correction information generation module 408
may perform a correction for removing the difference. In this case, the
image comparison module 407 first performs a discrete cosine transform
(DCT) on each component of RGB of the biological image and the standard
image, and removes a direct-current component (sets the component to 0)
from the DCT result. Next, total power of only an alternating-current
component is calculated, low-pass total power is calculated in which X
and Y are equal to or less than a fixed ratio (for example, equal to or
less than 2%) in the DCT (only the alternating-current), and the ratio of
low-pass total power to alternating current total power is calculated.
This ratio is considered to be a blurring amount, and the ratio is
derived to perform comparison with respect to each image.

[0050] The correction information obtained in the manner is stored in the
correction information database 325. A table 600 shown in FIG. 6 shows an
example of correction information 603 stored in association with
identification information 601 of the scanner. Similarly to the standard
image data shown in FIG. 5, the correction information 603 is also
registered for each type 602 of biological tissue.

[0051] In this example, two kinds of RGB correction value and HSV
correction value of the correction information 603 are prepared, and a
color space which is easily corrected can be selected in accordance with
the type of the scanner. In addition, herein, as the correction values,
values represented by values from -1 to +1 are taken in the case of the
HSV color space, and values represented by values from -255 to +255 are
taken in the case of the RGB space.

[0052] [Flow of Operations]

[0053] Next, a flow of processes executed in the image processing
apparatus 300 according to the embodiment will be described with
reference to flow diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0054] First, in step S701, identification information of the connected
scanner 307 and a biological image which is read by the scanner 307 are
acquired. Herein, for example, the identification information of the
scanner 307 can be extracted from a header of biological image data which
is read by the scanner 307.

[0055] Next, in step S703, it is determined whether the extracted
identification information is registered in the standard image database
315 or the correction information database 325. When the information is
not registered in either of them, it is known that the connected scanner
307 is not the standard scanner used at the time of generating the
standard image, and is also not the scanner in which the correction
information is already generated. In this case, the process proceeds to
step S705, and an alarm display is performed. Specifically, a message
indicating that it is necessary to read the sampling biological specimen
and perform calibration is displayed, the process proceeds to a
correction information generation process.

[0056] When it is determined in step 703 that the identification
information is registered in the database, the process proceeds to step
S709, and a biological tissue region is extracted from the acquired
biological image. Next, in step S711, correction information is acquired
from the correction information database 325, using the scanner
identification information and the type of the extracted biological
tissue.

[0057] In step S713, the acquired biological image is corrected using the
acquired correction information. Herein, for example, when the number of
biological tissue types included in the biological image is one, the
entirety of the biological image may be corrected by a correction method
in correspondence to the biological tissue type. In addition, when two
types or more of biological tissue are included in the biological image,
the image correction may be performed by a different correction method
for each image region including each biological tissue. In any case, the
correction is performed depending on the type of biological tissue
included in the biological image, so that the discrimination and the
analysis of the biological tissue are facilitated, and furthermore,
accuracy of a pathological diagnosis is improved.

[0058] When the correction of the biological image in step S713 is
terminated, the process proceeds to step S717, and it is determined
whether unprocessed biological tissue is present. When the biological
tissue in which the correction process is not terminated is included in
the biological image, the process proceeds to steps S711 and S713, and
the image correction is performed on the next biological tissue.

[0059] When the image correction process is terminated with respect to all
of the biological tissue included in the biological image, the process
proceeds to step S715. The biological image after the correction is then
displayed on the display device 310, and the process is terminated.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the details of the correction
information generation process performed after step S705. Since it is
determined in step S705 that the connected scanner 307 is not the
standard scanner, in FIG. 8, image reading of the sampling biological
specimen is first performed in step S801. The term "sampling specimen"
herein is a specimen which is previously prepared in order to generate
the correction information, and is preferably the same as the specimen of
which the image is captured by the standard scanner at the time of
generating the standard image. Meanwhile, a different sampling specimen
may be prepared for each type of biological tissue, and a plurality of
biological tissues may be included in one sampling specimen.

[0061] Next, in step S803, standard image information corresponding to a
sampling specimen image is read out from the standard image database 315.
In step S805, the image comparison module 407 is executed, so that
information of the read image and information of the standard image are
compared to each other based on predetermined indexes (for example,
luminosity, chroma, hue and the like) as mentioned above, and the
differences are stored. Next, in step S807, it is determined whether the
differences obtained by comparing the predetermined indexes of these
images are in accord with each other or are within a certain range. When
the differences are within a certain range, the process proceeds to step
S813, and it is determined whether processing is completed with respect
to all of the sampling specimens which are previously prepared. When the
next sampling specimen is present, the process returns to step S801.

[0062] When the difference between the biological image generated by
capturing an image of the sampling specimen and the standard image is not
within a certain range in step S807, the process proceeds to step S809,
the image information of the biological image is corrected in the
direction in which the difference becomes smaller, and the correction
information is temporarily stored in step S811. The correction process is
repeated until the difference between the corrected image and the
standard image is within a certain range, and the process proceeds to
step S813 when it is within a certain range. For example, in the case of
comparison with the image information represented by the HSV color space,
only luminosity V of the image is first matched to the standard image,
comparison with the entirety of the image is performed. Nevertheless,
when the correction is not sufficiently performed, chroma S is matched to
the standard image. Nevertheless, when the correction is not sufficiently
performed, the hue is gradually displaced and thus the difference between
the images is caused to be within a certain range. In this way, it is
possible to obtain a similar image through a minimum correction.
Basically, since the correction process regarding the image which is read
from the scanner 307 is preferably performed to a minimum, the correction
information is set by such a step-by-step correction process. Meanwhile,
in step S805, the biological tissue may be extracted for each correction
process, and images of a region of the extracted biological tissue may be
compared to each other.

[0063] When it is determined in step S813 that the correction information
generation process of all of the sampling specimen images is terminated,
the process proceeds to step S815, and the correction information is
stored in the correction information database 325 in association with the
type of biological tissue.

[0064] Even when a totally new scanner is connected through the
above-mentioned processes, it is possible to generate and store the
correction information so that the corrected image close to the standard
image can be output. Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned embodiment,
although the correction information database 325 is provided within the
image processing apparatus, the correction information may be previously
stored in the scanner 307, and the biological image and the correction
information may be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 300. In
that case, the scanner 307 includes a storage unit (for example, ROM)
that stores the correction information indicating the correction process
for each type of biological tissue capable of being included in the
biological image. In that case, the scanner 307 further includes a
transmission unit that transmits the biological image generated by
capturing an image of the biological specimen and the correction
information read out from the storage unit to the image processing
apparatus 300. On the other hand, it is preferable that the scanner 307
previously stores the biological image generated by capturing an image of
the sampling biological specimen. In that case, the storage unit that
stores the biological image indicating the sampling biological specimen
and the transmission unit that transmits the biological image readout
from the storage unit to the image processing apparatus 300 may be
included.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

[0065] A specific example of the correction process will be described with
reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0066] First, FIG. 9 is a diagram in which a method of correcting an image
region including a glandular duct as biological tissue is described. As
compared to a standard image 901 stored in the standard image database
315, a biological image 902 captured by a new scanner is dark, and the
chroma is low. This is obvious when the peak values of each histogram of
the HSV color space are compared to each other. Particularly, since peak
positions of S and V are different from each other, a correction for
adjusting them is performed. Specifically, correction information is
generated for performing a bright correction by raising V and performing
a vivid correction by raising S, with respect to a captured glandular
duct image region. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the correction
information is registered so as to perform a correction for setting S to
+0.2 and setting V to +0.3 in the glandular duct image region.

[0067]FIG. 10 is a diagram in which a method of correcting an image
region including a lymphocyte as biological tissue is described. As
compared to a standard image 1001 stored in the standard image database
315, a biological image 1002 captured by a new scanner is dark, and the
chroma is low. This is obvious when the peak values of each histogram of
the HSV color space are compared to each other. Particularly, since the
peak values of S and V are different from each other, a correction for
adjusting them is performed. Specifically, correction information is
generated for performing a bright correction by raising V and performing
a vivid correction by raising S, with respect to a captured lymphocyte
image region. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the correction information
is registered so as to perform a correction for setting S to +0.1 and
setting V to +0.1 in the lymphocyte image region.

[0068]FIG. 11 is a diagram in which a method of correcting an image
region including a stroma as biological tissue is described. As compared
to a standard image 1101 stored in the standard image database 315, a
biological image 1102 captured by a new scanner is dark, the chroma is
low, and blueness is light. This is obvious when the peak values of each
histogram of the HSV color space are compared to each other. Herein, a
correction for adjusting the peak values of H, S and V is performed.
Specifically, correction information is generated for shifting H to the
blue side, performing a bright correction by raising V and performing a
vivid correction by raising S, with respect to a captured stroma image
region. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the correction information is
registered so as to perform a correction for setting H to +0.1, setting S
to +0.1 and setting V to +0.1 in the stroma image region.

Advantage of Embodiments

[0069] According to the embodiments as mentioned above, it is possible to
add a correction depending on the type of biological tissue included in
the biological image which is read by the scanner, and to obtain a
corrected image by which an image diagnosis is more easily performed. In
addition, the correction process to be added in order to obtain an image
close to the standard image is derived, thereby allowing the correction
information to be registered in the database. For this reason, even when
the scanner of which the image reading characteristics (brightness, hue,
blurring or the like) are unclear is connected, a proper correction
process is added, thereby allowing an image close to the standard image
to be acquired. That is, it is possible to realize an image diagnosis
process excellent in versatility which can cope with various scanners.

Other Embodiment

[0070] As stated above, although the embodiments of the invention have
been set forth in detail, a system or an apparatus in which separate
characteristics included in each of the embodiments are combined in any
case is also included in the scope of the invention.

[0071] In addition, the invention may be applied to a system constituted
by a plurality of devices, and may be applied to a single apparatus.
Further, the invention can be applied even when an image processing
program for realizing functions of the embodiments is supplied to a
system or an apparatus directly or remotely. Therefore, an image
processing program installed on a computer in order to realize the
functions of the invention using the computer, a medium having the
program stored thereon, or a WWW server causing the program to be
downloaded is also included in the scope of the invention.

Other Expressions of Embodiment

[0072] A portion or all of the above-mentioned embodiments can be
described as in the following Additions, but are not limited thereto.

[0073] (Addition 1)

[0074] An image processing apparatus that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, including:

[0075] an acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the
image reading apparatus;

[0076] a determination unit that determines a type of biological tissue
included in the biological image; and

[0077] a correction unit that adds a correction process to the biological
image in correspondence with the identification information of the image
reading apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

[0078] (Addition 2)

[0079] The image processing apparatus according to Addition 1, further
including a storage unit that stores correction information indicating
the correction process for each piece of the identification information
of the image reading apparatus and the type of biological tissue capable
of being included in the biological image,

[0080] wherein the correction unit adds the correction process to the
biological image on the basis of correction information read out from the
storage unit, using the identification information of the image reading
apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

[0081] (Addition 3)

[0082] The image processing apparatus according to Addition 1 or 2,
wherein the correction unit adds the correction process to the entirety
of the biological image.

[0083] (Addition 4)

[0084] The image processing apparatus according to Addition 1 or 2,
wherein the correction unit adds the correction process to an image
region of the biological tissue included in the biological image.

[0085] (Addition 5)

[0086] The image processing apparatus according to any one of Additions 1
to 4, wherein when two or more biological tissues are included in the
biological image, the correction unit adds a different correction process
to the image region of each biological tissue.

[0087] (Addition 6)

[0088] The image processing apparatus according to Addition 2, further
including:

[0089] a determination unit that determines whether the identification
information of the image reading apparatus and correction information
corresponding thereto are stored in the storage unit; and

[0090] a notice unit that gives notice of an error message, when the
determination unit determines that the identification information of the
image reading apparatus and the correction information corresponding
thereto are not stored.

[0091] (Addition 7)

[0092] An image processing apparatus that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, including:

[0093] an acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the
image reading apparatus;

[0094] a generation unit that compares a standard image previously stored
in a database with the biological image, derives a correction process to
be added to the biological image in order to cause approximation to the
standard image, and generates correction information indicating the
correction process; and

[0095] a registration unit that registers the identification information
of the image reading apparatus and the correction information in the
database, in association with a type of biological tissue included in the
biological image.

[0096] (Addition 8)

[0097] The image processing apparatus according to including 7, wherein
when the image reading apparatus is not a standard image reading
apparatus, the generation unit generates correction information by
comparing the standard image acquired by capturing an image of a sampling
biological specimen in the standard image reading apparatus with a
biological image acquired by capturing an image of the sampling
biological specimen in the image reading apparatus.

[0098] (Addition 9)

[0099] The image processing apparatus according to Addition 7 or 8,
wherein the generation unit generates the correction information by
comparing a histogram in which the standard image is represented in a
predetermined color space with a histogram in which the biological image
is represented in a predetermined color space.

[0100] (Addition 10)

[0101] An image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to
the image processing apparatus according to any one of Additions 1 to 9,
including:

[0102] a transmission unit that transmits the biological image generated
by capturing an image of the biological specimen and the identification
information to the image processing apparatus.

[0103] (Addition 11)

[0104] An image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to
the image processing apparatus according to any one of Additions 1 to 9,
including:

[0105] a storage unit that stores correction information indicating the
correction process for each type of biological tissue capable of being
included in the biological image; and

[0106] a transmission unit that transmits the biological image generated
by capturing an image of the biological specimen and the correction
information to the image processing apparatus.

[0107] (Addition 12)

[0108] An image reading apparatus which is capable of being connected to
the image processing apparatus according to Addition 8, including:

[0109] a storage unit that stores the biological image generated by
capturing an image of the sampling biological specimen; and

[0110] a transmission unit that transmits the biological image to the
image processing apparatus.

[0111] (Addition 13)

[0112] An image processing method that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, including:

[0119] comparing a standard image previously stored in a database with the
biological image, deriving a correction process to be added to the
biological image in order to cause approximation to the standard image,
and generating correction information indicating the correction process;
and

[0120] registering the identification information of the image reading
apparatus and the correction information, in association with a type of
biological tissue included in the biological image.

[0121] (Addition 15)

[0122] An image processing program that processes a biological image
generating by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, the program causing a computer to execute:

[0123] a step of acquiring identification information of the image reading
apparatus;

[0124] a step of determining a type of biological tissue included in the
biological image; and

[0125] a step of adding a correction process to the biological image in
correspondence with the identification information of the image reading
apparatus and the type of biological tissue.

[0126] (Addition 16)

[0127] An image processing program that processes a biological image
generated by capturing an image of a biological specimen in an image
reading apparatus, the program causing a computer to execute:

[0128] a step of acquiring identification information of the image reading
apparatus;

[0129] a step of comparing a standard image previously stored in a
database with the biological image, deriving a correction process to be
added to the biological image in order to cause approximation to the
standard image, and generating correction information indicating the
correction process; and

[0130] a step of registering the identification information of the image
reading apparatus and the correction information, in association with a
type of biological tissue included in the biological image.

[0131] Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-079393,
filed on Mar. 30, 2010, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.